New Jersey American Water Acquires Hopewell Borough Water System for $6.4 Million

en.Wedoany.com Reported - New Jersey American Water has completed the acquisition of the Hopewell Borough water system for $6.4 million. The former municipal system serves approximately 930 water customer connections and has been purchasing a portion of its water supply from New Jersey American Water since 2005. The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities approved the municipal consent, allowing New Jersey American Water to provide water service to Hopewell Borough customers effective from the closing date of the transaction.

The agreement to purchase the system was approved by voter referendum in November 2025. The deal integrates the new system into the company's operations, aiming to enhance service reliability, advance infrastructure investment, and improve operational efficiency for Hopewell Borough customers and the community. As part of the agreement, New Jersey American Water will invest $7 million in infrastructure improvements to the system within the first five years of ownership. Expected improvements include identifying and replacing all lead and galvanized steel service lines, as well as upgrading aging customer water meters, fire hydrants, and water mains. Additionally, the company will shut down an operating well in the borough with elevated PFAS levels and supply water to the community through the Canal Road and Raritan Millstone Water Treatment Plants, which meet current state and federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

Hopewell Borough Mayor Ryan Kennedy stated that after a thorough and thoughtful process with extensive community engagement, he believes that by partnering with New Jersey American Water, they are addressing long-term infrastructure needs while ensuring reliable, high-quality service and stable rates for the community. New Jersey American Water President Mark McDonough said that after supplying water to Hopewell Borough for more than two decades, they formally welcome the community into their service area, with the top priority being to provide safe, clean, reliable, and affordable service to 3 million people across the state, including those in Hopewell.

Residents will receive additional information by mail from New Jersey American Water in the coming weeks. Hopewell Borough residents will now be able to take advantage of the company's customer service benefits, including the online account management portal MyWater and the H2O Help to Others program for eligible customers who need assistance paying their bills.

This acquisition is the tenth for New Jersey American Water in the past five years, adding more than 25,000 water and/or wastewater customers. New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest regulated water utility in New Jersey, with approximately 875 employees dedicated to providing water and wastewater services to about 3 million people. American Water is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility in the United States, with a history dating back to 1886, serving approximately 14 million people through regulated operations across 14 states and 18 military installations.